In today's world, wireless gadgets have become increasingly popular. Whether you're looking for speakers or headphones, many people seek to free themselves from wires.
However, some claim that if you prioritize sound quality, wired devices are the only option. When it comes to wireless speakers, we've reviewed some excellent options such as Oontz Angle 3, JBL Flip 4, and Anker Soundcore.
All of these speakers are good enough to enjoy the day, and they're all water-resistant (some may even be waterproof). However, we noticed that Bose, a brand known for high-quality sound, was not present in our speaker category. Therefore, we decided to try Bose wireless speakers.
Why only Bose and no others? I wanted a speaker that sounded extraordinarily good, and Bose is known for delivering that kind of quality. I tested several high-end Bose headphones and now I'm trying out the Bose Soundlink Flex Bluetooth portable speaker, which is water-resistant and costs only $129.
Pros:
Cons:
Sound
Build
Battery
Value
Who should get Bose SoundLink Flex ?
If you love to go hiking or partying at the beach Bose SoundLink Flex is the perfect companion.
Whatβs in the box?
- Soundlink Flex speaker
- USB C charging cable
Bottom Line:
The Bose SoundLink Flex is an excellent outdoor companion. Its sturdy build, with a powder coating, ensures that the speaker won't peel or flake, even in UV light.
An in-built strap makes it easy to carry or suspend from your bag, and its IP67 rating makes it ideal for use at the beach or in the swimming pool. The makers even claim it can float on water, although I haven't tested this. In terms of sound quality, I would describe it as decent but not powerful or particularly loud.
However, the stereo mode and party mode can compensate for this. With a 12-hour battery life at 60-70% volume level, it's decent, but there is no fast charging. The main downside for me is the connectivity. there's no AUX port, it uses an older 4.2 Bluetooth version, and lacks high-quality Bluetooth codec, except for SBC, which is disappointing. Overall, I would rate the Bose SoundLink Flex 7.5-8 out of 10.
How is the Design and Build Quality of Bose SoundLink Flex?
The Bose Soundlink Flex is a portable speaker with a sturdy build and compact design, making it perfect for outdoor use like hiking. It is made of durable materials such as steel, silicon, aluminum, fabric, and nylon, while its IP67 waterproof design provides excellent protection from water and dust.
This speaker is the second outdoor portable speaker from Bose in our list, following the Bose Soundlink Micro. The Soundlink Flex has a sleek design that can be placed on its back and comes with a built-in strap that you can use to suspend the speaker wherever you want.
Let's now discuss the build quality of the SoundLink Flex. This portable speaker features a silicone body and its drivers are protected by a steel grille that is powder-coated. Not only is it water-resistant but it is also dust-proof, making it perfect for outdoor use.
This build quality is ideal if you plan on partying at the beach. The Bose SoundLink Flex is sturdy enough to withstand drops on the floor without getting damaged. You can choose from multiple color options including Green, Chilled Lilac, Black, Stone Blue, and White Smoke.
Makers of SoundLink Flex claim that it can float on water, so if you use them in a swimming pool, you don't need to worry. However, I have never tried to sink them.
The controls for the SoundLink Flex are located on the top side. One notable absence is the AUX input, meaning that you cannot use the SoundLink Flex as a wired speaker.
It is strictly a wireless speaker. While some speakers offer both wired and wireless options, this speaker does not. To turn the speaker on, simply press the power button. This same button is also used to make your speaker visible to the Bose connect app.
The box does not contain many accessories, except for a USB-C cable. Most makers do not provide waterproof protection to the charging port, but the SoundLink Flex does come with a waterproof charging port. However, be sure not to immerse it deeper than 1 meter or 3.25 feet.
On the top side, you will find the power button, multi-function button, volume up and down button, and Bluetooth pairing button. Overall, it is a good outdoor speaker with a sturdy build, portable design, and easy-to-operate controls. The only minor drawback is the absence of an AUX port, which is why I would rate it 8.5 out of 10.
function | what to do |
|---|---|
Answer/End a call | Press the Multi-function button |
Decline an incoming call | Press and hold MF button for a second |
Switch between two calls | with 2 active calls press MF button twice quickly |
Mute/Unmute a call | While on a call, press + and = simultaneously. |
How is the Sound Performance of Bose SoundLink Flex?
Bose is a well-known brand when it comes to high-quality audio, and their SoundLink Flex speaker is no exception. The SoundLink Flex is equipped with PositionIQ technology, which is a built-in sensor that detects the orientation of the speaker and adjusts the EQ accordingly.
Since the SoundLink Flex is an outdoor speaker, it is designed to eliminate natural environmental noise smoothly, providing a smooth frequency response. The SoundLink Flex produces balanced mids, clear vocals, and accurate sound reproduction, but it is not very loud.
It features both party mode and stereo mode. In party mode, two Bose speakers can sync perfectly. The SoundLink Flex can be synced with other Bose speaker models like SoundLink Micro, SoundLink Color II, SoundLink Revolve (series I & II), and SoundLink Revolve+ using the Bose Connect app. While you get a limited soundstage with a single speaker, you can achieve the most soundstage by connecting two speakers.
overall, I would rate it 7.5 out of 10 for sound quality of Bose SoundLink Flex.
How is the Connectivity of Bose SoundLink Flex?
The Bose SoundLink Flex comes with Bluetooth version 4.2, which is slightly outdated but still functional. However, it only supports the SBC Bluetooth codec, which is quite disappointing.
Additionally, there is no AUX input, which is another drawback in terms of connectivity. Once connected, the Bluetooth connection remains stable, and the device can store up to 8 previously connected devices.
It can also connect to two devices simultaneously, but switching between two devices is not smooth and there is no feature for automatic switching. One needs to manually switch between the connected devices.
Connecting your smartphone to SoundLink Flex is an easy process. Press and hold the Bluetooth button until you hear the "ready to connect" voice prompt and the light starts blinking blue.
It's possible to connect your speaker to two mobiles simultaneously, but you need to use the Bose connect app. If you're unsure which device is connected to your SoundLink Flex, press the Bluetooth button, and it will announce the name of the connected phone.
You can also connect two Bose speakers with each other through party mode and stereo mode. Although the Bluetooth connection is stable once it's connected, it's disappointing that there's no AUX input, and SoundLink flex only supports SBC codec. Overall, I would rate the connectivity of SoundLink Flex 6.5 to 7 out of 10.
Light | meaning |
|---|---|
Blinking Blue | Ready to Connect |
Blinking White | Connecting |
Solid White | Connected |
How is the Charging and Battery performance of Bose SoundLink Flex?
Bose claims to provide 12 hours of battery life with a single charge, and in my experience, that claim is true when the volume is set at 60-70%. The package comes with a USB-C charging cable and it takes approximately 4 hours to charge fully. It's important to note that the playtime varies depending on the volume level and type of music you listen to. The device will inform you of the battery status every time you turn it on. Overall, I would rate it 8 out of 10 because it delivers what it claims.
